Building-block.



No. 772,476. 'y y PATENTED OCT. 18, 1904.

- T. PODMORE. BUILDING BLOCK.

'APPLIOATION rum) APR. 21, 1'904. No MODEL.

^ v I Httornegs 7 UNITED STATES,

Patented octeber 1s, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS PODMRE, or wILKEsBAnRE, PENNSYLVANIA. j

BUILDING-eLook.

sPE'cIFIcaTIoN formingy part of Letters Patent No. 772,476, datedocteber 18,19`o4. Application iiled April Z1, 1904. Serial No. 204,279-(No model.)

To` all wiz/m, zit may concern/.1. Be it known that I, THOMAS PoDMoRE, acitizen of the United States, residing at Wilkesbarre, in the county ofL'uzerne'and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and usefulBuilding-Block, 0f which the following is i -a specification.

This invention relates to an articial-stone building-block and method ofmaking the Same.

I The object of the invention is to provide an 'I \artificial stone for'building purposes having a veneer o r exterior finish in imitation ofmarble, granite, and similar natural rocks.

The invention consists in applying to, the surfaceof the molded block athin layer of cement and while the latter is s tilLin a plasticcondition sifting a quantity of marble, granite, or similar stonescreenings thereon, the surface of the stone after the cement hasthor--v oughly set'or solidified being rubbed orpolished t0 remove anyloose particles or irregularities in the face of the block, and therebyproduce an exterior finish resemblingcross- 4cut or. chiseled naturalrock. t

, In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification,-Figure 11 is a perspective View of a building-block constructed `inaccordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is va longitudinalsectional view.of the block bef ore'applying the exterior'inish. `Fig. 3 is a similarview showing the screenings` on the face of the block. Fig. 4 isl alongitudinal sectional view of Fig. 1.1

Slmilar numerals of reference mdlcatecori responding parts in all thefigures of the drawings.

. The block ,5, which ,may be formed of a .mixturerof cement and sand orother suitable material molded into the desired shape, is 'provided withathin'layer of cement 6, on which is sprinkled aquantity of marble.granite, or I similar 'stone screenings 7, the latter being subsequentlyrubbed or ground to produce the imitationrstone yeneer or,- exteriorfinish, v (indicated at 8 in 1 of the drawings.)

is claimed In carrying out the invention I place the blocks 5v afterthey are thoroughly dry 'on a conveyeror traveling platform arid passthe saine under' a receptacle containing cement, a

thn layer of which is deposited on the face of the blocks.l The'blocksare then passed beneath a vibratingscreen and a quantity of marble orgranite ,screenings or similar granular material sifted over thecemented face of the blocks, and thence beneath a tamp which firmlypresses said' cement.- The blocks are4 then placed in thedrying-room,and after the .cement has thoroughly set or solidified thesurface of the blocks are rubbed or ground with a stili 'brush or stoneto remove any loose particles and irregularities on the face of thesame, thereby producing an'exterior finish or veneer resemlblingcross-cut or chiseled natural rock, as

illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings.

It is obvious that the Veneer may be applied to the blocks either beforeor after the latter are molded, and it is also obvious that any suitablegranular material may be deposited on the surface of the blockinstead ofthe marble and granite screenings shown and described.

Having thus described the invention, what 1s- Themethod of veneeringartificial stone or embeds the screenings in whichconsists in depositinga layer of cement f on the face of the block, sprinkling granularmaterial thereon, tamping said granular material, and iinally smoothingthe surface of the block by rubbing or grinding the exposed granules soas to present a raised rock face in imitationof cross-cuter Achiseledstone.

' In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have heretoaiiixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

THOMAS PODMORE.

Witnesses: d l A HARRY F. GEDDES, ELTON M GOEE.

